ABCs & 123s

Tuesday, August 30, 2011
I was so excited for my latest custom order. It was not for a nursery, children's room, or playroom, but rather, an office. Elizabeth Lauren has gone commercial, ha! Well, kind of.  A dear friend of mine is a director at a preschool and is in the process of giving her office a make-over.  She was looking for artwork that was appealing to both children and adults, youthful sophistication, if you will. ;)

Painting Details:
size: 24x30 (also available in a variety of sizes)
materials: acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, clear matte varnish


My client also knew that she needed 2 paintings in the new office. 
1.) She had her heart set on my Sunshine Chevron painting in a custom 24x36 size.
2.) She wanted to incorporate the alphabet.  I immediately thought of this Pottery Barn wall art.  It had that sophistication my client was looking for without being too 'kiddish'.

The color palette in my clients new office is a combination of charcoal gray, yellow, and a beautiful steely blue green.    The wall color that the art will hang on is the blue green tone.  I knew that the background of the painting(s) needed to pop from the wall.  We decided to keep it white. To soften the bright white I did a very light gray water wash on the white background, this gave the artwork more dimension and a slight aged appearance.  I also love the small yellow accents framing each individual letter/number.









This painting turned out great!

Remember, all Elizabeth Lauren artwork can be customized!  Love this painting, but need it in a different  color palette or size?  Contact me HERE to get started on your custom ABCs & 123s painting!

Love this painting just the way it is? Find it in my Etsy Shop HERE!!!

With whimsy~

DIY: framed fabric

Monday, August 29, 2011

One of my favorite ways to create wall art is by framing fabric.  It is a great way to add pattern and texture to any room with out a large commitment and without breaking the bank.

This recent framed fabric napkin project that I created for my brother and sister in law turned out to be one of my favorite accents in their newly designed living room.


Here are my $$$money saving$$$ tips and tricks to create this project:

1.
  • Purchase pre matted and framed artwork from a discount store or craft store with a 40% off coupon.  
  • I found these at Garden Ridge for $34.99 a piece.
  • Buying artwork that is already in a beautiful frame with great matting will cut costs in custom matting which can be quite pricey.
  • The artwork that was originally in them was pretty horrible, but remember you will be covering it with fabulous fabric.  
  • From there, all you have to do is cover the unwanted print/painting/photograph with YOUR fabric of choice.  
  • No need to fuss with hot glue or spray adhesives... I attached the napkin with glue dots.  Super easy to work with and again a less permanent option. (in case you get the hankering to change your fabric selection out seasonally)
  • This option does take a little work.  Often times pre matted and framed art is back staples with heavy duty staples.... make sure you have a pair of needle nose pliers to remove these staples with ease. 
  • When disassembling the frame, don't be afraid to mess up the back..... remember it wont be seen, EVER, while hanging on the wall.
  • I then re-attached the backing with duck tape.  That's right people, I am keepin' it classy with the duct tape.  :)


2. 
  • Try finding great fabric napkins or place mats to frame instead of fabric by the yard.
  • I found these napkins at world market for $2.99 a piece.  
  • Designer fabrics can be pricey.  A lot of fabric stores also have a minimum of yardage that they will let you buy.  Often times this amount is way more than you really need.



So, what was the cost for the project from start to finish?

2 napkins @ $2.99 a piece....................$6.00
2 pre matted frames @34.99 a piece....$70.00
glue dots.................................................$4.00

Total:  $80!!!!!


For under $100 we transformed this bare wall to a fabulous designer detail in their room.


I love DIY projects!



With whimsy~


yellow and gray

Thursday, August 25, 2011
One of my favorite trends right now is the refreshing yellow and gray color combination.

Check out these great yellow and gray inspired nursery designs:


image from here



image from here

image from here

image from here

yellow and gray nursery decor
image from here

Love the gray and yellow color scheme too?
Check out my "You make me happy when skies are grey" painting.


You make me happy when skies are grey, 12x12, READY TO SHIP
Find it in my Etsy shop HERE.


This yellow and grey painting has been featured in a couple great treasury collections via Etsy.
Check them out HERE and HERE.




With whimsy~


Happy Flowers

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Details:
Happy Flowers (set of 2)
Size options: 11x14 or 16x20


Order this set from my Etsy Shop HERE



Inspired by:  Pottery Barn Kids Petite Paisley Nursery Bedding

Petite Paisley Nursery Bedding

image from here


With whimsy~


Kindergarten!!!

Monday, August 22, 2011
Today is the first official day of Kindergarten for the Cutie Patootie!
She was a little scared, pretty excited, and looked SUPER cute!
In her words: " I look like a ROCK STAR, Mommy!!!"


I can't wait to hear how her day went!!!

With whimsy~



Thank Heaven

Friday, August 19, 2011

These 8x10 paintings are the latest addition to my Etsy shop.  
They make the perfect baby shower gift!

Find it HERE

Find it HERE

With whimsy~



First Day of School Freebie

Thursday, August 18, 2011
OK, so reality is still slowly sinking in that my tiny little infant will be skipping off the Kindergarten in T minus 4 days. I have, up to this point, remained eerily calm..... That is until now, I am officially freaking out!  I know that she will be fine... C is extremely confident, outgoing, friendly, adventurous, etc.  I am freaking out more on the selfish end of things.  It seems like yesterday that we brought her home in our arms from the hospital, swaddled in a soft pink blanket.  Everything was so new then, that "new" feeling of concern, fear, excitement, and happiness all rolled in to one.  That new feeling has crept up on us again.  I guess it just goes to show you that being a parent is full of new experiences no matter how experienced you are.


Here is a great FREE printable from I Heart Naptime for the first day of school




images and freebie from I heart Nap Time


With whimsy~


Plate Wall Love

Tuesday, August 16, 2011
I recently helped my brother and sister-in-law decorate their living/dining room in their very first house! Lucky for me, I was given a blank canvas to work with and was given FULL permission to choose the design concept!  With all of the plate walls I have been seeing around, I knew it was a MUST in their dining area.

Here is a look at how their plate wall turned out.
  


Sources:
Plate Hangers: Pier1
Dining Chair:  Pottery Barn



How about a plate wall in a nursery?  
Check out these inspiring nursery photos I stumbled across...

image from March with a K


Another fun way to add patten and texture to a bare nursery wall  (that is very Plate Wall-esque) is with these needlepoint circles filled with fun coordinating fabrics.  Click HERE for an easy step-by step tutorial by the Purl bee.
[kate+wall+1.jpg]


Creating the plate wall for my brother and sister-in law has inspired me to create my own.  I have started collecting plates....(I have 2 so far, ha.)  I am looking to create a more random and organically shaped wall design, similar to the one seen below.

image from here




With whimsy~


'Little Blue Bird' Nursery

Monday, August 15, 2011
One of my favorite things has to be seeing my paintings in their new homes.  Here is a look at my 'Little Blue Bird' painting in a perfectly pink and green nursery.  The crib bedding is Pottery Barn Kid's Hayley Bedding.  I love how my Etsy customer nestled the painting between two sconces, this gives this 12x12 painting a real presence in the nursery.




Find the "Little Blue Bird' painting in my Etsy Shop HERE.


Thank you, S, for sharing these BEAUTIFUL nursery photos!  :)



With whimsy~



La Ballerinas

Friday, August 12, 2011

La Ballerinas
set of 3
size: 11x14
little extras:  real tulle tutus, ribbon accent in ballerina's hair
This item can be customized!!!








Find this set in my Etsy Shop HERE

With whimsy~


Back-to-School Hair Bows

Thursday, August 11, 2011
I am a sucker for classic hair bows.
I normally, in the past, have made most all of the Cutie Patootie's bows.
I decided to save my time and source the task out this go round.  I found a GREAT bow maker from, where else, Etsy.

Etsy Shop: Faith with Roses
Shop Profile: click here
Shop Owner: Anne Marie

I LOVE the wide variety of bows at Faith with Roses.  If your are looking for a classic style or a custom made bow to match a special outfit, Faith with Roses is the place to go.
In Anne Marie's shop you will always find bow designs that are made specifically to coordinate with particular brand name retail stores. (i.e. Gymboree.... my all time favorite place for kids clothes)



M2M m2mg Batik Summer Hair Bow for Gymboree Girls Triple Layers and Loops
image from here
Lot of 12 5 inch Large CHUNKY Hair Bows - You choose your colors My Exclusive Design
image from here
Custom listing for AMR1978
image from here

Click HERE to enter Faith with Roses Etsy Shop.

with whimsy~


Whimsical Tree

Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Here is a look at one of my latest custom orders.

From my clients completed Elizabeth Lauren questionnaire I discovered that she wanted her custom  artwork to coordinate with the Apriana Nursery Bedding Collection while incorporating the whimsical tree design seen in  a previously completed custom order, Erin Olivia.
The nursery walls are painted a deep fuchsia, the white background of the painting should really help the the artwork 'pop'
.

Details:
size: 30x40
materials: acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas


The Inspiration:

image from here

image from here

find the original Erin Olivia blog post here


With whimsy~


Mama Like; Diaper Caddy

Monday, August 8, 2011
Over the weekend, my Sunshine Chevron painting was featured on a wonderful Treasury List called...Chevron, the New Black, via Etsy.

For those of who are not familiar, an Etsy Treasury list is a grouping of 12, or so, Etsy items that coordinate in a beautiful way. (A collage of Etsy items,if you will.)

Amongst the fellow treasury items, I stumbled across these great little hand-made designer totes from TREASURED TOTES.  They make the perfect diaper caddies, arts and crafts bins, storage bins, etc.
I especially LOVE the fun use of pattern and color.

Gray White Slub Zig Zag Yellow Accent Fabric Organizer Bin Basket Diaper Caddy ..... WITH Dividers
image from here

Peace Sign Symbol Fabric Organizer Bin Basket.... Ready To Ship
image from here

Natural Linen Pink Polka Dot Accent  Fabric Organizer Bin Basket Diaper Caddy ..... with Dividers
image from here

Ready To Ship ... Spotted Owl Natural Orange Full Moon Dot Fabric Organizer Bin Basket Diaper Caddy ..... with Dividers
image from here

Dr. Seuss Blue Cat in the Hat Fabric Organizer Bin Basket Diaper Caddy ..... WITH Dividers
image from here

Want to purchase one of these adorable totes?  click HERE to enter TREASURED TOTES Etsy Shop.


With whimsy~



Sunshine Chevron

Friday, August 5, 2011
This sweet and perfectly trendy piece is new to my Etsy shop.

Details:
12x12
Acrylic on Canvas

Find it in my Etsy Shop HERE.







With whimsy~